Steve Geller

Steve: Who to keep an eye on in Saints vs. Falcons

by Steve Geller,posted Sep 5 2013 1:32PM

The real deal is finally here, Who Dats. Preseason is over and Coach Payton is back, ready to unleash his wrath on the rest of the NFL. The Falcons are first up on the Saints menu and here are 4 players I am taking an extra-long look at:

Safety Kenny Vaccaro

I expect the rookie to be amped up for his first regular season game and love the tough guy factor he brings to the defense. The ONLY thing to worry about is making stupid mistakes that would cause the refs to throw a flag.
Look for Vaccaro to be shadowing ATL tight end Tony Gonzalez. Also coming up in run support will be welcome against Stephen Jackson who is a monster of a back to bring down.

Defensive end Cameron Jordan

It’s safe to say that “the Big Kid” is the Saints’ best player on defense right now. I expect Jordan to make a leap into the NFL’s elite defensive ends this year, and a strong showing against a weak Falcons offensive line is highly likely.
In his first game against the Falcons in his rookie season Jordan said that he wanted to destroy Matt Ryan. He’s the kind of player that wants to show up big in big games so expect the “Saints Sack Attack” to be in full effect.

Running back Mark Ingram

There is a ton of expectations for this guy in 2013. His first 2 season in New Orleans have been average and not worthy of a first round draft pick. Some feel the former Heisman winner is poised for a break-out season now that he’s fully healthy and the team seems more focused on establishing the run.
I still have my doubts, but I also still hope Ingram can make me believer. To me the Saints #1 option in the backfield should be Pierre Thomas.

Wide receiver Marcus Colston

The Saints #1 wide-out finally saw some preseason action versus Miami after missing most of training camp with a foot injury. The good thing is Colston is entering his 8th season with the Saints and his rapport with Drew Brees is already established and knows all the in-and-outs of Sean Payton’s offense.
Colston usually has big games versus the A T L. In his career against them, the receiver has racked up 71 receptions for 876 yards and 6 touchdowns. Falcons DBs beware, “The Quiet Storm” is about to make landfall.